Current students and graduates of University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC) will have a chance to meet—virtually—with private-sector businesses, public sector entities and nonprofit organizations to discuss internships and full-time job opportunities at the university’s largest annual networking event.
The March 21 virtual Career Fair, hosted by UMGC Career Services, will unfold from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. EST. Participating employers are looking for individuals seeking careers that span from business, science and the arts to technology and cybersecurity. Leading up to the event, Career Services has been offering webinars to help job seekers prepare their resumes.
“Focus on your passion and strengths, and think outside the box,” said UMGC alumna Deana Herbert ’00, who will be recruiting at the career fair on behalf of Thomas & Herbert Consulting, where she is president and chief operating officer. “Be open to new possibilities, embrace the process, build strong relationships and don’t give up.”
Herbert, with more than 36 years of professional experience, said she will be seeking candidates for positions as imagery analysts and full motion video analysts. She is also looking for students interested in internships in human resource management, cyber security, artificial intelligence and IT, and business and data analytics.
The Career Fair comes on the heels of UMGC’s 2024 InternPLUS fair, which was named in February as the best hiring fair Eventeer Awards by vFairs. UMGC uses vFairs virtual event systems and event registration.
“This accolade underscores our dedication to collaborating with the UMGC community and external partners to provide relevant job opportunities, information and resources to enhance the career prospects of UMGC students and alumni,” said Cathy Francois, director of UMGC Career Services. “By leveraging top-tier platforms like vFairs, we strive to assist learners in achieving career confidence and reaching their professional goals.”
At the March 21 Career Fair, registrants can apply for jobs, see employer exhibits and explore company booths. Students unable to attend the Career Fair can still upload their resumes onto a virtual platform that employers can access.
For a complete list of 2025 employers at the Career Fair or to register for the event, visit umgc.edu and click careerquest.umgc.edu.
Past Interns Share Advice
Randi James and Jessica Tarpley, members of the UMGC Class of 2024, said their experiences in the University of Delaware Envision internship program showed them how valuable these career opportunities can be.
The 10-week internships were funded by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture and focused on training the next generation of agricultural scientists. James and Tarpley worked with a faculty mentor to develop and document their own hypothesis-based research project and create a video summing up the project.
They shared details of their internship experience in a Q&A with UMGC.
Jessica Tarpley, who holds a B.S. in Biotechnology, works as a veterinary technician at emergency veterinary hospital.
Q: What did the UD Envision internship experience mean to you?
A: For 10 weeks, I worked as a research intern gaining real-world hands-on experience in a research laboratory setting by practicing various techniques and methodologies frequently applied in biotechnology laboratories. I had the opportunity to learn new techniques while practicing those previously learned.
Doing so was a major achievement, as I accomplished academic, career and personal goals through this experience. The knowledge, skills and abilities acquired during this internship are necessary for advancing my career both in the short-term and long-term, since experience like this is generally required for advancement in biotechnology research.
Q: What advice would you give current UMGC students looking to pursue an internship?
A: Stay motivated and reach out to faculty, mentors and professionals working in your desired field to connect for potential opportunities. Keep an open mind, try to have some flexibility, and understand that you may have to make some short-term sacrifices to accomplish your goals.
Randi James holds a B.S. in Biotechnology.
Q: How did the internship impact you?
A: The UD Envision internship experience was incredibly meaningful to me, both personally and professionally. It provided an opportunity to immerse myself in a dynamic research environment where I could apply theoretical knowledge in a practical setting. The hands-on experience in agricultural research, particularly in crop resilience and genetic enhancement, deepened my understanding of the field and its real-world applications.
Overall, the UD Envision internship has laid a strong foundation for my future career in biological sciences, clarifying my goals and inspiring me to make meaningful contributions to agricultural research. It reinforced my passion for the field and highlighted the importance of bridging scientific research with public understanding.
Q: Do you plan to expand any of this research in the future?
Although this may not be the exact path, I pursue long-term, the insights and skills I’ve gained will always influence how I approach my life and career.
Robin Searles-Adenegan, portfolio director and UMGC collegiate professor of biological sciences, biotechnology and laboratory management, mentored Tarpley and James during their internship.
Q: What was your role in the internship process for Jessica and Randi?
A: As the portfolio director, I try to mentor all of the students by meeting with them prior to their workplace learning placement. I therefore always make the effort to call each student to encourage them before their placement so that they know that I support them and that I am available to them if they need me.
Q: What about this internship appeals to the next generation of agricultural scientists?
A: Like most STEM summer internship programs, Envision students have the ability to work on hypothesis-based research projects and they present their research findings at the end of the program.
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